We’re about a month away from the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, scheduled for Saturday, May 5, from Churchill Downs. As you consider your Kentucky Derby betting strategy for the Run for the Roses, take a look at our perspectives on a few of the three-year-old steeds who will be chasing the win.
If we go on the form that horses showed as two-year-olds, we have to start by looking at Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic. Bolt d’Oro (trained by Mick Ruis) was the hands-down favorite when he ran the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but ended up setting for third. He also pulled a muscle, which influenced his training, but he then went and won at San Felipe, after McKinzie was disqualified for interference. Bolt d’Oro sits as the favorite in Vegas (7/1 odds). Javier Castellano took over riding him at San Felipe and is projected to ride at Churchill Downs.
Early Look at the 2018 Kentucky Derby Betting Favorites
Sign changed✅means #KyDerby 144 is near!🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/poKlY7lvQV
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) 6 de abril de 2018
- When: May 5, 2018
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
- Surface: Dirt
Audible
Audible (trained by Todd Pletcher) won the Grade II Holy Bull at Gulfstream by 5 ½ lengths, which surprised his trainer, and then he went out and won the Grade I Florida Derby, giving him a four-race winning streak. He sits at 15/1 odds for the Kentucky Derby, but one issue may be that the 1 ¼-mile distance at Churchill Downs may be longer than the horse will be willing to go.Catholic Boy
Catholic Boy (trained by Jonathan Thomas) sits at 25/1 odds and took second at the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. He started out as a turf runner and won fourth place at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, but he moved over to dirt in December and took the Remsen at Aqueduct. However, he didn’t show any kick down the stretch at the Grade I Florida Derby, but his trainer revealed that he had had to bleed in his breathing passages. Stay tuned to health updates on Catholic Boy before you lock in any wagers on him.Free Drop Billy
Free Drop Billy (trained by Dale Romans) was that second-place horse who came in so far behind Audible at the Grade II Holy Bull at Gulfstream. He was scratched from the Grade II Fountain of Youth to take part in the Gotham Stakes, where he emerged as the 8-5 favorite but still settled for third, with Enticed winning the race.Installed Regard
Installed Regard (trained by Jerry Hollendorfer) won the Grade III Lecomte back in January and has 20-1 odds to win at Churchill Downs. He was favored to win the Risen Star Stakes but saw 21-1 underdog Bravazo take the win.McKinzie
McKinzie (trained by Bob Baffert) won the Grade III Sham Stakes and appeared to have won the Grade II San Felipe until he was disqualified for interference. He has 8-1 odds to win at Churchill Downs and should be seen as a major threat to walk away with the roses.Good Magic
Good Magic (trained by Chad Brown) took first at that Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and he also won the Eclipse Award for two-year-old champion colt and was favored at the Grade II Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park but ended up settling for third place there. His current 2018 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds to win at Churchill Downs are 12/1.
Mourinho
Mourinho (also trained by Bob Baffert) is more of a dark horse, coming in with 40-1 odds for the Kentucky Derby. He won his start at the Smarty Jones back in January, but while he was the favorite at the Grade III Southwest Stakes, he saw My Boy Jack take an inside track along the rails to get the win.Principe Guilherme
Principe Guilherme (trained by Steve Asmussen) came in second to Instilled Regard at the Grade III Lecomte back in January. He raced the Grade II Risen Star as a 7-2 second choice but did not win. He has 25-1 2018 Kentucky Derby Betting odds to win at Churchill Downs.Last 10 Kentucky Derby Winners
- 2017: Always Dreaming
- 2016: Nyquist
- 2015: American Pharoah
- 2014: California Chrome
- 2013: Orb
- 2012: I’ll Have Another
- 2011: Animal Kingdom
- 2010: Super Saver
- 2009: Mine That Bird
- 2008: Big Brown
